Taggart, he suspected, could not see where the wagon had gone and no
doubt was filled with curiosity. Neither could Taggart see the
ranchhouse, for there were intervening hills and the slope itself was a
ridge which effectually shut off Taggart's view. But neither hills or
ridge were in Calumet's line of vision. Kneeling in the gully he
watched the wagon. Presently he saw Betty come out and stand on the
porch. She looked at the wagon for a moment and then went toward
it--Calumet could see her peer around the canvas side at the seat.
After a moment she left the wagon and walked to the stable, looking
within. Then she took a turn around the ranchhouse yard, stopping at
the bunkhouse and looking over the corral fence. She returned to the
wagon and stood beside it as though pondering. Calumet grinned in
amusement. She was wondering what had become of him. His grin was cut
short by the crash of Taggart's rifle and he dodged down, realizing
that in his curiosity to see what Betty was doing he had inadvertently
exposed himself. A hole in his shirt sleeve near the shoulder
testified to his narrow escape.
His rage against Taggart was furious and with a grimace at him he
turned again to the ranchhouse. Betty had left the wagon and had
walked several steps toward him, standing rigid, shading her eyes with
her hands.
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